GENERAL GODLEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1650, 6 January 1914, Page 5

GENERAL GODLEY.

SENT FOR BY HIS MAJESTY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland* January 5. General Godley, who returned by the steamer Victoria from a visit to tho Unite'd States, Canada, and England, interviewed, stated that he had been affoHod facilities for studying the excellent svsteni of militarv education in voena. iirVTie Kfntes./ he discussed tin iniDoriul defence questions yvitli.- tliß ZAittiCer. for JJerence and leading military officers. H? met General Sir lan Hamilton, who was on a visit of inspection witn two officers and travelled to England in his company. Ho arranged the personnel and itinerary for fair lan Hamilton's visit to New Zealand in April. General Godley attended the Irish manoeuvres in September, returning to England for the Army manoeuvres the same month. He was appointed to the staff , of the Commander-jii-Oliicf, Sir John French. General Godley had oxoeptkmal opportunities of seeing the latest development in military 6cien:e during the manoeuvres. He was sent for by the King, who quostioned him closely as to the progress of the universal training scheme, and showed a keen interest New Zealand's citizen army. His Majesty especially inquired of tho Third Mounted Rifles/Auckland, and tho First Infantry, Canterbury, of.which he is colonol-in-chief. Tho Kirifi was riding a New Zealand horse, a black charger, wliich has been his favourite mount for nine years. ■ Lord Roberts asked General Godley a great many questions coiKorning_ the universal service, "opposition to whicli," General Godley added, "I was "happily able to sny wa.s not very serious, as the people- fully appreciated its advantages." General Godley conferred with the War Office on matters, connected with New Zealand's defences, and discussed with' Ministers tho possible cooperation, between the forces of New Zealand and l Australia.

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) ■ Auckland, January o. In the course of his visit, General Godley visited Aldershot and tho Aviation School, and made a flight in one of tho latest typo of biplanes. A largo part of October was spent by the General at the War Oifico..antl[iligh,.Commissioner's' office i:i consultation 'with the General Staff and others regarding various matters, concerning the New Zealand forces; -and. while .in England, ho also had interviews with the Secretary of State for tho Colonies and War discussing with them many points of interest, and, if possible, co-operation between the forces of the Commonwealth and tho Dominion. On jiis way back tho Genera! saw Lord Kitchener at Cairo, and the hero of Khartoum was much interested to hear of tho progress of the defence scheme in Now Zealand, while in Australia General Godley met tho Commonwealth Defence Minister, the. Chief of tho General Staff, and other officers.